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By Gail Ravgiala

We normally reserve this space for items about design events, building trends, real estate news, etc., but today we are going to veer off course to let our readers know about one great musical show. We had the good fortune of attending a performance by the terrific crew of The UMass Boston Performing Arts Department of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee last night ó and we are still smiling. It is the first musical produced at UMass Boston in more than a decade, but we sure hope it wonít be 10 years until there is another.

We have attended many a show in downtown theaters, and this production can hold its own against any one of them. It is hilarious, the singing is first rate (did Kendra White, the junior who played Logainne Schwartzangrunenierre, aka Schwartzy, really hold that note for, what, three minutes? Sure seemed that long) and, unlike some downtown venues where live music has become rare, there was a live four-person band playing perfectly timed accompaniment.

And the tickets are only 20 bucks ($10 for UMass Boston students).

The show runs through Sunday at UMass Boston's McCormack Theatre. (The one challenge is finding the theater, so allow some time and donít be afraid to ask for directions.) There is plenty of parking ($6), or take the T to the JFK/UMass stop on the Red Line and grab the free shuttle bus to the campus (check here for shuttle hours: http://www.umb.edu/the_university/getting_here/commuting/public_transit/)
It is great entertainment for the whole family. Remaining performances are April 20 at 8 p.m., April 21 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and April 22 at 2 p.m. Buy tickets at the door or make a reservation by emailing theatreboxoffice@umb.edu.